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Thread ID: 77369	2007-03-07 05:48:00	Just out-of-range wireless 802.11g - Booster Antennae or Firmware upgrade?	Chilling_Silence (9)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
530931	2007-03-07 19:31:00	I had a problem getting a signal from my office computer to the family computer in the house. The distance is about 50m. The office is a Skyline building clad with tin (which I assume was the problem), and the access point (WAP) is attached to the office computer. The family computer is in the living room a further 5m across the room from the wall facing the office (french doors etc on that wall), so it is about 55m away from the WAP. I bought a wireless antenna from DSE, took a wire from the WAP through the outside wall, and mounted the antenna (which is only meant to be for internal use) high up on the outside office wall under the verandah eaves. It has started to rust a bit, so I guess even under shelter in a dry Canterbury environment it shouldn't be outside. I not only get a great signal in the part of the house that is closest to the office, but I can also connect on my laptop in our bedroom at the far end of the house. The signal probably scares cats out on the street and interferes with phones in the neighbourhood. I have done a DSE search and cannot find that antenna being for sale any longer. It is a small beige box mounted on an articulated arm mount. One other point. I also experimented with using an extension wire from the WAP to one of the WAP aerials that I mounted on a verandah post. It would not work if mounted vertically, but would work reasonably well mounted horizontally. Whatever you do, experiment with the orientation of your antenna and you may be surprised by the results.	John H (8)
530932	2007-03-07 19:39:00	Okay, so Ive read a little about the firmware updates Havent found a spec sheet / comparison chart that tells me if features have been cut out, what else has been added etc. Hyper / DD - Presuming they both still allow MAC filtering, encryption etc, but have just added a few features like the ability to boost the power output? Looks like I'll be running a nice long patch cable up the side of the house this afternoon for starters :D Will a 5DBi antenna make _much_ of a difference, or is it really not worth the small investment?	Chilling_Silence (9)
530933	2007-03-07 19:42:00	Awesome John, thanks for the feedback. The garage we have in the way is also a great big tin can.. and I know its gotta be affecting the signal in some way, shape, or form :) Sounds like I could be in for a long afternoon.... ;)	Chilling_Silence (9)
530934	2007-03-07 19:45:00	Awesome John, thanks for the feedback. The garage we have in the way is also a great big tin can.. and I know its gotta be affecting the signal in some way, shape, or form :) Sounds like I could be in for a long afternoon.... ;) Very satisfying when you solve it though! Just be careful up the ladder :D The main problem for me was getting the right plugs to attach to the WAP, cable, and antenna! However, I think the different kinds of plugs are more readily available these days. Good luck!	John H (8)
530935	2007-03-07 19:50:00	Will a 5DBi antenna make _much_ of a difference, or is it really not worth the small investment? I have found the box for my antenna in my cardboard box collection... Its a 10dBi 2.4GHz panel. Sorry I can't answer your question Chill, but 10dBi certainly makes a huge difference.	John H (8)
530936	2007-03-08 05:36:00	Wired the AP upstairs, TONS better reception, all around the place. Enabled WEP & MAC Filtering so it should be secure enough :) Ive gone and bought a 5DBi one, wrong connectors so I'll pick some up tomorrow from DSE.. dont expect it'll cost much Anyways, all seems good, just have to now sort out the routing issues Thanks heaps :)	Chilling_Silence (9)
530937	2007-03-08 08:04:00	I'd go with cya, and get another ap to extend the range. Can place 1 at each end in ideal locations, so they see each other. I set up a friend with a Level One ap and a bigger aerial, but was going to add another ap if it wasn't enough.	wotz (335)
530938	2007-03-08 08:59:00	Would love to do that but Im on a bit of a budget ATM, so yeah.. another AP is kinda a little outta my price range :( Of course, in an ideal world.... ;-)	Chilling_Silence (9)
530939	2007-03-08 20:24:00	go to google and type in "cantenna" There are some sites where u can buy one. It will defintely give u a signal that goes alot further. my friend bought one and it works. Me personally, i just bought a new antenna that is 7dbi from dick smith's. the one that comes with ur wi-fi router is only 2dbi.	lance4k (4644)
530940	2007-03-09 11:01:00	To improve any USB wifi stick performance use a USB extension cable and get it up higher rather than desk level.	apsattv (7406)
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